an opinionated sports blog

November 23, 2018

It turns out that either who the QB is doesn’t really matter when you have the Bears’ defence or Chase Daniel is, in fact, a good NFL backup. Or, the Lions are just pretty bad.

Washington +7.5 over DALLAS

Amari Cooper will never live up to the price Dallas paid to get him, but games like this one will make fans forget about that first-rounder a bit more quickly.

Atlanta +13 over NEW ORLEANS

There’s nothing like going 0-3 on Thanksgiving picks. Drew Brees tossing his four TDs to four different relatively unknown players is about as Saintsy as it gets.

BALTIMORE -10.5 over Oakland

Do you really want to take a terrible Raiders team flying across the country and playing an early start against a potential playoff team? The Ravens ability to completely switch things up with Lamar Jackson at QB is interesting, too.

BUFFALO +3 over Jacksonville

The Bills are rested, have a good defence and home-field advantage. The Jags will try to run it down their throats but will it work?

CAROLINA -3.5 over Seattle

If the Panthers are truly destined to be the top NFC wild card, it can’t drop its third game in a row. The Seahawks aren’t the same team away from Seattle and the early start hurts them.

Cleveland +3 over CINCINNATI

If you don’t think the Browns are up for a little revenge over former coach Hue Jackson, now on the Bengals staff, you’re crazy. The Browns are well-rested and, even if A.J. Green plays for the Bengals, he’s not going to be close to 100%.

NEW YORK JETS +9.5 over New England

The Pats know the Jets well, but is this team good enough to win by 10 on the road? There’s not a lot to like about the Jets, but they will play hard against their chief rival.

New York Giants +5.5 over PHILADELPHIA

The Giants may have looked good against some bad opponents the past two weeks, but how sure are we that Philly is good? In a rivalry game where the favourite is pretty banged-up, this line seems a couple of points high.

TAMPA BAY -3.5 over San Francisco

The Bucs go back to Jameis Winston once again, which isn’t an upgrade or downgrade. We’re not excited by either team, but the Bucs have more potential to put up points, so we’ll take the home-field advantage.

Arizona +12.5 over L.A. CHARGERS

With the Steelers on tap next week, the Chargers could be looking ahead here. A win is all but certain, but doing it by 13 is another thing.

Pittsburgh -3 over DENVER

We’re not buying into the Broncos after last week’s close win and could be in for a big letdown. The Steelers are about as hot as they get, thanks in part to the Jags’ collapse last week.

INDIANAPOLIS -7.5 over Miami

Ryan Tannehill’s return doesn’t mean much. The Colts have turned into a team that could scare a contender in the playoffs and Andrew Luck is a lock for comeback player of the year.

Green Bay +3.5 over MINNESOTA

This is it for the Packers. Lose here and the season is basically over. With it all on the line, we’ll take the points and Aaron Rodgers.

Tennessee +6 over HOUSTON

The Titans are somehow 5-5 and also beat the Texans earlier this season. Their QB situation is dicey, but the rest of the team is solid enough to take nearly a touchdown.